Rockets add Brooks for guard depth

Aaron Brooks is thrilled with the prospect of again running the floor with the Rockets. ( James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle )

With the Rockets hoping to lock up a return to the playoffs, they reached agreement Monday with one of the key players from the last time they were there.

The Rockets will sign point guard Aaron Brooks to a two-year contract Tuesday, with the team hoping to add to its backcourt depth and perimeter shooting, and Brooks hoping to recapture the success of his early seasons in the NBA.

“I just think I can help out,” Brooks, 28, said. “That’s all I want to do. I’m comfortable there. They have a good team and a good coaching staff. It feels good. I’m definitely happy to be coming back.”

Brooks reached agreement on a buyout of his contract with Sacramento on Friday in time to be eligible for the postseason. After playing last season in China, he had talked about a return to the Rockets as a free agent in July, but signed a two-year deal worth $6.6 million with the Kings.

The first player drafted by Daryl Morey as Rockets general manager, Brooks signed for $2.4 million for the rest of the season, with a second season worth $2.5 million at the team’s option, according to an individual with knowledge of the deal.

Brooks, 6-0, was a key to the Rockets’ last playoff season and only playoff series win since 1997 when he averaged 19.6 points and 5.3 assists in 2008-09. The Rockets beat Portland in the first round and took the Lakers to seven games in the second round with Yao Ming going out in Game 3.

“It’s definitely important to get back (to the postseason),” Brooks said. “The fans deserve that. I think the coaches and the team definitely deserve to go.”

Brooks was the NBA’s Most Improved Award winner that season and had another strong season, but was frustrated that the team did not extend his contract before the 2010-11 season and struggled. He sprained his ankle in the season’s fifth game and missed several months. He was averaging 11.6 points on 34.6 percent shooting in 34 games with the Rockets when he was dealt to the Suns for Goran Dragic.

“It was good times here,” Brooks said. “I definitely grew up in the last couple years (since) myself. I had some good times there. I accomplished a lot. But I don’t like then way I went out. I’m happy to come back and try to prove myself I guess.”

Three at the point

Brooks gives the Rockets three point guards with rookie Patrick Beverley playing well behind Jeremy Lin. The Rockets had been looking for a veteran point guard since the trade-deadline deal that sent Toney Douglas to the Kings with the Rockets determined not to make a move that would commit additional cap space for next season.

The Rockets had carried two point guards through much of the past several seasons with Courtney Lee able to fill in if necessary because of an injury. The current backup shooting guards — Carlos Delfino, James Anderson and Francisco Garcia — were not likely to fill that role if Lin or Beverly suffered even a relatively minor injury.

In 2009-10, when Kyle Lowry sprained an ankle and missed much of the remainder of the season, Brooks was the only other point guard on the roster and the Rockets immediately slumped, falling out of playoff position as Brooks played heavy minutes and the team tried to make up for Lowry’s absence.

Though Brooks, averaging eight points in 20.8 minutes per game, had not carved out a steady role this season in the already crowded Kings backcourt with Isaiah Thomas, Tyreke Evans, Marcus Thornton and Jimmer Fredette, the Rockets believe he will fit well into their open-court, high-paced style.

Chemistry lesson

“The team has been playing well,” Brooks said. “You don’t want to come in and ruffle anything. I want to do anything I can help the team out.

“I think I have a skill that can help this team. I don’t think I will bother the chemistry they already have.”

But he can bring something no one else on the roster can. He said he has the red blazer and matching bow tie he wore before and after his sensational Game 4 against the Lakers.

A curious wardrobe choice then, it could be considered a reminder of “good times.”

“It’s buried,” Brooks said. “It can be found.

“That’s a long time ago, it feels like. It will be good to bring the good times back.”

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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March 30: Rockets 98, Clippers 81

Rockets shooting guard Francisco Garcia flexes his muscles in celebration during the second half. Garcia scored 15 points in the game.

March 30: Rockets 98, Clippers 81

Rockets shooting guard Francisco Garcia flexes his muscles in celebration during the second half. Garcia scored 15 points in the game.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Rockets center Omer Asik is hit in the face by Clippers guard Willie Green as forward Caron Butler comes down on him during the first half.

Rockets center Omer Asik is hit in the face by Clippers guard Willie Green as forward Caron Butler comes down on him during the first half.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Rockets small forward Chandler Parsons slams home two of his 15 points over Clippers small forward Caron Butler during the first half.

Rockets small forward Chandler Parsons slams home two of his 15 points over Clippers small forward Caron Butler during the first half.